History and nature on the same track

The railway brought great change to Victorian Britain and continued to extend its influence into the 20th century. The local economy of Lavenham and Melford grew using the railway to bring in raw materials for the horsehair, mat and flax industries and taking out finished products and agricultural produce.

With the advent of the Second World War the railway became a true life line delivering hardcore to build numerous airfields and later fuel and munitions to service the planes of the US air force based there.

The railways continued as an important method of transport for both people and goods after the war when petrol rationing was in still in force but in the 50s and 60s with the rise of the car, the ‘writing was on the wall’ for small branch lines and in 1967 the line was completely closed.

Fifty years seems a long time. Track has been taken up, roads, houses and factories built where once white steam was evident, but traces of the line still remain, creating wonderful walks and amazing places for wildlife to flourish. Explore with us this little time capsule; imagining the sounds and smells of an age of steam, yet now providing a quiet and secluded habitat for nature and wildlife.